Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities in neurological diseases of dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 114 cases (2010-2015)

The current retrospective study includes 99 canine and 15 feline cases with neurologic disease accompanied by neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities (blindness, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, miosis, mydriasis, Horner’s syndrome). All cases were presented in the Companion Animal Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine – Faculty of Health Sciences (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) over a six-year period (2010-2015). The most frequent presenting complaints were head tilt (n=22/99) and paresis/paralysis (n=22/99) in dogs and head tilt (n=3/15) and ataxia (n=3/15) in cats. The most common neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities were strabismus (n=55/99) in dogs and anisocoria (n=7/15) in cats. The localization of lesions was found to be multifocal (n=38/99), and focal, in the vestibular system (n=37/99) in dogs, whilst in cats it was solely multifocal (n=6/15). An etiological diagnosis was reached only in 48 dogs and 10 cats; the former were mainly diagnosed with distemper encephalitis (10/48) and congenital hydrocephalus (6/48) and the latter mostly with encephalitis (n=5/10). Neuro-ophthalmological cases reached a 18.24% of the total neurologic case load (n=625) admitted during a six-year period. Neuro-ophthalmological examination as well as the correlation of the observed abnormalities with the overall neurological symptomatology is important for the neuroanatomic diagnosis, the assessment of severity and prognosis of the respected mainly diseases

Neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities in neurological diseases of dogs and cats: a retrospective study of 114 cases (2010-2015)

The current retrospective study includes 99 canine and 15 feline cases with neurologic disease accompanied by neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities (blindness, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, miosis, mydriasis, Horner’s syndrome). All cases were presented in the Companion Animal Clinic of the School of Veterinary Medicine – Faculty of Health Sciences (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) over a six-year period (2010-2015). The most frequent presenting complaints were head tilt (n=22/99) and paresis/paralysis (n=22/99) in dogs and head tilt (n=3/15) and ataxia (n=3/15) in cats. The most common neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities were strabismus (n=55/99) in dogs and anisocoria (n=7/15) in cats. The localization of lesions was found to be multifocal (n=38/99), and focal, in the vestibular system (n=37/99) in dogs, whilst in cats it was solely multifocal (n=6/15). An etiological diagnosis was reached only in 48 dogs and 10 cats; the former were mainly diagnosed with distemper encephalitis (10/48) and congenital hydrocephalus (6/48) and the latter mostly with encephalitis (n=5/10). Neuro-ophthalmological cases reached a 18.24% of the total neurologic case load (n=625) admitted during a six-year period. Neuro-ophthalmological examination as well as the correlation of the observed abnormalities with the overall neurological symptomatology is important for the neuroanatomic diagnosis, the assessment of severity and prognosis of the respected mainly diseases

Isoflurane treatment for refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus in dogs

IntroductionResistant epileptic episodes, such as refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), are neurological emergencies that require immediate medical treatment. Although inhalational anesthetics, such as isoflurane (ISO), have been proposed as a means of seizure control in dogs, there is currently a lack of both experimental and clinical studies on this subject.Study designThis is a retrospective clinical study.MethodsRecords of dogs that received ISO for the management of RSE and SRSE during their intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization at the Companion Animal Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki were included in the present study. The study period spanned from February 2013 to March 2023. Dogs were identified as responders (R) when RSE/SRSE ceased after ISO administration, and the dogs were successfully discharged from the ICU after ISO discontinuation. Dogs were identified as non-responders (NR) when RSE/SRSE ceased after ISO administration, but RSE/SRSE reoccurred after ISO discontinuation. Additional data about the number and time of ISO cycles, the time of ICU hospitalization, the side effects of ISO administration, and an additional administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and anesthetic drugs were also recorded.ResultsA total of 20 dogs with 26 recorded RSE/SRSE episodes and 26 anesthetic cycles with ISO were included in the present study. The clinical termination of seizure activity was achieved 100% (26/26) in all episodes. In 73.1% (19/26) of the episodes, ISO administration resulted in successful RSE/SRSE treatment. Poor outcome was recorded in 26.9% (7/26) of the episodes because RSE/SRSE reoccurred after ISO discontinuation, and the dogs were euthanatized or died due to cardiac arrest. Inspiratory ISO ranged between 0.5 and 4.0%. The median time of the anesthetic cycles with ISO was 12.67 h (4.00–62.00). The median duration of the ICU hospitalization was 48.00 h (24.00–120.00). At least one ISO-related side effect was recorded in 23 out of 26 (88.5%) episodes.ConclusionTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical study that addresses the administration of ISO for RSE/SRSE treatment in dogs. The use of ISO may be beneficial in terminating RSE/SRSE; however, further prospective studies are necessary to confirm this observation

Multilobular tumour of the caudal cranium causing severe cerebral and cerebellar compression in a dog

Multilobular tumour of bone (MTB) is an uncommon tumour and is usually located in the skull. A 13-year-old mixed breed dog was presented with a two-week history of progressively worsening vestibular dysfunction and cognitive abnormalities; it appeared demented and showed asymmetric ataxia and hypermetria of all limbs. The owner opted to have the animal euthanised. Necropsy revealed a large mass occupying the right occipital, parietal and temporal bones, severely compressing the cerebellum and the right occipital lobe. Histologically, it was characterised by the presence of multiple lobules containing osteoid or cartilage and separated by fibrous septae, features typical of MTB. Lung metastases were evident. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MTB causing both severe cerebral and cerebellar compression and the second detailed report of an MTB of the occipital bone. MTB should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone tumours as well as in cases with central vestibular disease

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

SUBCLINICAL LEAD POISONING IN SHEEP. EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

THIS THESIS CONSISTS OF 2 PARTS, THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SUBCLINICAL LEAD POISONING IN SHEEP. IN THE FORMER PART PRESENTED ARE THE RESULTS OF LEAD DETERMINATION IN 233 PASTURE GRASS SAMPLES, WHICH WERE COLLECTED FROM AREAS WITH VARIOUS DEGREES OF LEAD CONTAMINATION. WHOLE BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATION AND ERYTHROCYTE DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC AND DEHYDRATASE (ALA-D) ACTIVITY WERE DETERMINED IN 264 BLOOD SAMPLES, COLLECTED FROM SHEEP PASTURING IN LEAD-MINING SITES AND AREAS WITH MINIMAL LEAD POLLUTION. FINALLY, THE CONCENTRATION OF LEAD WAS DETERMINED IN LIVER AND KIDNEY SAMPLES OBTAINED FROM 210 SHEEP PASTURINGIN THE VICINITY OF THE CITY OF THESSALONIKI. THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY PRESENTS THE EFFECTS OF DAILY PER OS INTAKE OF 1 AND 3 MG LEAD/KG B.W., FOR A PERIOD OF 4MONTHS. THE PARAMETERS STUDIED DURING THE EXPERIMENT WERE WHOLE BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATION, ERYTHROCYTE ALA-D ACTIVITY, HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION, PACKED CELL VOLUME, SERUM UREA NITROGEN AND CREATININE CONCENTRATION, SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE (SAP) AND ALANINOAMINOTRANSFERASE (SALT) ACTIVITY. LEAD CONCENTRATION WAS DETERMINED ALSO IN LIVER, KIDNEY, BRAIN, BONE AND WOOL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS.Η ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ ΑΥΤΗ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΙΤΑΙ ΑΠΟ 2 ΜΕΡΗ, ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΔΗΜΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΥΠΟΚΛΙΝΙΚΗΣ ΤΟΞΙΚΩΣΗΣ ΑΠΟ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟ ΣΤΟ ΠΡΟΒΑΤΟ. ΣΤΟ ΕΠΙΔΗΜΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΑΝΑΦΕΡΟΝΤΑΙ ΟΙ ΤΙΜΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΣΕ 233 ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΑ ΧΟΡΤΩΝ ΒΟΣΚΗΣ, ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΕΡΧΟΝΤΑΝ ΑΠΟ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΕΣ ΜΕ ΔΙΑΦΟΡΕΤΙΚΟ ΒΑΘΜΟ ΕΠΙΒΑΡΥΝΣΗΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΟ ΑΥΤΟ. ΕΠΙΣΗΣ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΖΟΝΤΑΙ ΟΙ ΤΙΜΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΣΤΟ ΟΛΙΚΟ ΑΙΜΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΕΥΔΡΑΤΑΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ Δ-ΑΜΙΝΟΛΕΒΟΥΛΙΝΙΚΟΥ ΟΞΕΟΣ (ALA-D) ΤΩΝ ΕΡΥΘΡΟΚΥΤΤΑΡΩΝ ΣΕ 264 ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΑ ΑΙΜΑΤΟΣ ΠΡΟΒΑΤΩΝ, ΠΟΥ ΕΚΤΡΕΦΟΝΤΑΝ ΣΕ ΜΕΤΑΛΛΟΦΟΡΕΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΕΣ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΕ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΕΣ ΟΠΟΥ ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΠΙΣΤΩΘΗΚΑΝ ΠΗΓΕΣ ΡΥΠΑΝΣΗΣ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΟ ΑΥΤΟ. ΤΕΛΟΣ, ΑΝΑΦΕΡΟΝΤΑΙ ΟΙ ΤΙΜΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΣΕ ΔΕΙΓΜΑΤΑ ΗΠΑΤΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΝΕΦΡΟΥ, ΠΟΥ ΣΥΛΛΕΧΘΗΚΑΝ ΑΠΟ 210 ΠΡΟΒΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ Ν. ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ. ΣΤΟ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΙΚΟ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΑΝΑΦΕΡΟΝΤΑΙ ΟΙ ΕΠΙΠΤΩΣΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙ 4 ΜΗΝΟ ΧΟΡΗΓΗΣΗΣ ΣΕ ΠΡΟΒΑΤΑ 1 ΚΑΙ 3 MG ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ/KG Σ.Β., ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΣΤΟΜΑ. ΟΙ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΤΡΟΙ ΠΟΥ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΘΗΚΑΝ ΗΤΑΝ Η ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΣΤΟ ΟΛΙΚΟ ΑΙΜΑ, Η ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣ ALA- D ΤΩΝ ΕΡΥΘΡΟΚΥΤΤΑΡΩΝ, Η ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΙΜΟΣΦΑΙΡΙΝΗΣ, Ο ΑΙΜΑΤΟΚΡΙΤΗΣ, Η ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΟΥΡΕΙΚΟΥ ΑΖΩΤΟΥ (BUN) ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΚΡΕΑΤΙΝΗΣ ΚΑΙ Η ΔΡΑΣΤΗΡΙΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΛΚΑΛΙΚΗΣ ΦΩΣΦΑΤΑΣΗΣ (SAP) ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΑΛΑΝΙΝΟΑΜΙΝΟΤΡΑΝΣΦΕΡΑΣΗΣ (SALT) ΣΤΟΝ ΟΡΟ ΤΟΥ ΑΙΜΑΤΟΣ. ΠΡΟΣΔΙΟΡΙΣΤΗΚΕ ΑΚΟΜΗ Η ΣΥΓΚΕΝΤΡΩΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΜΟΛΥΒΔΟΥ ΣΤΟ ΗΠΑΡ, ΣΤΟ ΝΕΦΡΟ, ΣΤΟΝ ΕΓΚΕΦΑΛΟ, ΣΤΑ ΟΣΤΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΟ ΜΑΛΛΙ ΤΩΝ ΠΕΙΡΑΜΑΤΟΖΩΩΝ

Evaluation of a proposed therapeutic protocol in 12 dogs with tentative degenerative myelopathy

The objective of this work was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a proposed therapeutic protocol in 12 dogs with a tentative diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy, followed-up for a 6-month period. Twelve dogs fulfilling the antemortem inclusion criteria (breed, age, adequate vaccination, history of progressive posterior ataxia and/or paraparesis, no radiographic and myelographic abnormalities in the spinal cord and vertebral column) were allocated. All these dogs presented signs of thoracolumbar syndrome (T3-L3), scored as grade I (mild to moderate ataxia and paraparesis) in 10 and grade II (severe ataxia and ambulatory paraparesis) in 2 cases. Treatment included the use of ɛ-aminocaproic acid and N-acetylcysteine, supplemented with vitamins B, C and E. Prednisolone was given for the first two weeks and upon worsening of neurological signs. Daily exercise, performed as walking or swimming, was strongly recommended. Clinicopathological evaluation was normal in all 12 dogs, and survey radiographs and myelograms did not show spinal cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed only in 4 dogs, did not disclose compressive disorders or intramedullary lesions. Neurological signs were progressively worsening in all 12 animals, eventually resulting in severe paraparesis (grade III) or paraplegia (grade IV). The applied medications do not appear to be an attractive alternative to conservative management (physiotherapy) or euthanasia in canine degenerative myelopathy, irrespective of its chronicity

Chronic Inflammatory Distal Polyneuropathy with an Odd Pseudohypermetric Gait in a Miniature Pinscher

An eight-year-old, male intact, client-owned vaccinated Miniature Pinscher was admitted because of chronic progressive gait abnormality that appeared six months prior to referral. Neurological examination revealed a palmigrade stance, distal tetraparesis more severe to the thoracic limbs, a gait abnormality including hypermetria and laxity of both carpal and tarsal joints and bilateral distal muscle atrophy of thoracic limbs (flexor carpi ulnaris and extensor carpi radialis)and pelvic limbs (tibialis anterior). Orthopedic examination, routine clinicopathological testing, including serology for protozoal diseases and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were unremarkable.Electromyographic testing revealed focal spontaneous electrical activity limited to the extensor carpi radialis muscle. Histopathologicalexamination of biopsiesshowed diffuse, chronic, severe muscle atrophy and diffuse, chronic-active, moderate to marked, lymphocytic-plasmocyticneuritis/perineuritisand interstitial myositis. The dog is being re-examined every six months for two years, showing a slowly progressive clinical deterioration, even though it still remains ambulatory. Clinical and histopathological findings were compatible with inflammatory distal polyneuropathy of the chronic progressive or relapsing motor and sensory peripheral neuropathy groups. These diseases have been associated with inflammatory changes in thespinal nerve roots,the cranial or the more peripheral regions of the appendicular nerves. The slowly progressive disease course and the distinctive gait abnormalities were the most prominent features in this case

Recurrent Peripheral Vestibular Paroxysm in a Dog: is it a New Entity?

Vestibular syndrome in humans can be acute, chronic or episodic; the latter can be triggered (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, central paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular paroxysmia) or spontaneous (vestibular migraine, Meniere’s disease, transient ischaemic attack). Vestibulogenic/vertiginous epilepsy is another under-recognised nonlesional pharmacoresponsive condition caused by lesions in the vestibular representation in the frontal cortex. In young dogs, congenital vestibular disease has been reported, however it is not episodic. A four-month-old male entire client-owned vaccinated Hungarian Vizla-cross was referred for paroxysmal episodes consisting of wide-based stance, right compulsory trunk sway, right head tilt, disorientation, generalised muscle tremor and spontaneous horizontal nystagmus without post-ictal changes. No relation with the head position was reported. Physical examination revealed bilateral otitis externa (treated with topical medication), whilst neurological examination was unremarkable. Clinicopathologic evaluation and arterial blood pressure were unremarkable. Neurolocalisation was compatible with right peripheral vestibular system. Despite the resolution of otitis externa, the episodes frequency increased up to once a week. Further investigations included head CT and CSF analysis and were normal. Levetiracetam, Phenobarbital and Imipetoin were ineffective. After three years the dog still experiences daily vestibular paroxysms. In this case, congenital vestibular disease, ear disease or structural encephalopathy are considered unlikely due to their permanent nature. Vestibulogenic seizure is unlikely due to lack of pharmacoresponsiveness. Vestibular migraine and transient ischaemic attacks are of central origin, whilst benign paroxysmal vertigo is related with the head posture. Thus, the dog may experiences a spontaneous episodic (peripheral) vestibular syndrome similar to the human condition called Meniere’s disease